Electric-power apparatus



Nov. 2 1926.

E. H. KNAPP ET AL ELECTRIC POWER APPARATUS Original Filed July 20. 1921INVENTORS E.H.KNAPP C.FINCH HTTQRN EYS AND.

Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC-POWER APPARATUS.

Application filed July 20, 1921, Serial This invention relates to anelectric power apparatus adapted especially for use on farms or otherisolated localities, and aims to provide an automatic electric powerplant driven by an internal combustion engine which is automaticallystarted and stopped as the circuit of the lamp orother current consumingdevice is closed and opened, respectively,- thereby eliminating'thenecessity for storage batteries of large cap-acity, the presentinvention being animprovementover the electric power apparatus disclosedin our copending applications filed May 12, 1919, and June 23, 1920,Serial Nos. 296,617 and 390,987, respectively. tion is also acontinuation in part of such applications. v

A further object is the provision of such an apparatus including anengine for driving an electric dyanmo or motor-generator to generatecurrent when needed, in combination with a low voltage storage batteryor other source of current to operate the dynamo as a starter for theengine, and'controlling means operable so that the dynamo operates as astarter from the source of low voltage current to start the engine whenthe circuit of the lamp or other current consuming device is closed, andwhen the engine is started, the dynamo is renderedinoperative as astarter and then automatically serves as a supply of current for themains or load wires and battery.

still further object is the provision in an apparatus of the characterindicated, of extremely simple and effective electro-magnetic meansautomatically controlling the low voltage starting and high voltagegenerating circuits of the dynamo and the ignition circuit of theengine, utilizing a minimum number of switches and contact points, inorder that the low voltage current from the battery or similar sourcewill supply current for closing and energizing the ignition circuit ofthe engine, and for operating the dynamo as a starter for the engine,and in order that when the engine has been started, the circuitconnections are changed for supplying the main or load circuit with highvoltage current,

Another object is the provision of novel means for controlling thecircuits when the engine is started, to assure of working conditionswith varying loads on the main or load wires.

"With the foregoing and other objects in The present applica No.486,162. Renewed August 2, 1926.

View, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the inventionresides in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinatterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes can be madewithin the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

The-invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein thefigure is a diagrammatical view of the apparatus.

Any suitable combustion engine '1 is used for driving the electricalmotor-generator or dynamo 2 havingcombined therewith the low voltagestarter motor generator 3 used for starting the engine 1, and anignition timer 4 operates with the engine.

A switch 5 controls the ignition circuit and also an engine startingcircuit, and said switch 5 is under the influence ot a low voltageelect-ro-magnet 6 and the high voltage el'ectro-magnet 7, andconnections are provided, as will hereinafter more fully appear, wherebyone or the other of said magnets is connected in thenia-in or loadcircuit according to different conditions.

' The main or load circuit includes the mains or load wires 8 and 9across which one or more lamps 10 or other current-consuming devices areconnected in multiple, each being connected in series with a switch 11that can be closed forclosing the main circuit through the correspondinglamp or translating device 10. r

A storage battery 12 or other source of electrical energy of low voltageis provided to supply electrical energy for starting the operation, andthis battery need not be large as it is only required to supply currentduring the starting of the engine and for several electromagnets afterthe engine has started.

l/V hen the'switch 11 is closed to turn on the current, with theapparatus idle, this closes a battery circuit including the battery 12,-conductor 13, conductor 14, contact 40, normally closed switch 63 underthe influence of an electromagnet 59, load wire or conductor 8, lamp 10,switch 11, load wire or conductor 9, conductor 17, magnet 6, conductor19 and conductor 61 leading back to the battery 12, thus causing theenergization of the low voltage magnet 6 from the battery. The batterycurrent being of low voltage, and traversing the lamp 10, will stillprovide sufficient potential for energizing the magnet 6 to attract theswitch 5 against its contact 24, to start the operation effectively witha source of low voltage only.

The second phase is followed by the closing of the switch 5, whichenergizes a device for starting the engine with the low voltage batterycurrent. Thus, the switch 5 closes a circuit including the battery 12,conductor 13, conductor 26, switch 5, contact 24, conductor 27,conductor 22, low-voltage electromagnet 28 influencing an armatureswitch 29, and conductor 30 leading back to the battery 12. Thus, theclosing of the switch 5 by the low voltage magnet 6, results in theclosing of the circuit of the electromagnet 28, being supplied withcurrent direct from the battery, so that the switch 29 is closed.thereby closing a starting circuit including the battery 12, conductor13, conductor 32, switch 29, contact 31 engaged by said switch,conductor 34, motor or starter section 3 of the duplex motor-generatoror dynamo, and conductor 35 leading back tothe battery. The startermotor of the dynamo is thus supplied with current from the battery torotate the crank shaft of the engine for starting same.

The closing of the switch 5 simultaneously closes the ignition circuitof the engine, independent of the energization of the magnet 28, suchignition circuit including the battery 12, conductor 13, conductor 26,switch 5, contact 24, conductor 27, conductor 20, primary induction coilwinding 18, conductor 23, timer 4, conductor 36, and conductor 35; Thetimer 4 will close the circuit of the primary winding 18, at the properintervals, thereby inducing a high tension potential in the secondaryinduction coil winding 21 hav ing one terminal connected to the sparkplug 51 and the other one grounded to the opposite terminal of the sparkplug by way of the conductor 23. The spark plug is thus energized at theproper intervals for igniting the explosive charges in the engine, sothat the engine will take up its power impulses.

As soon as the engine operates of itself, it will drive the dynamo 2, sothat the generator 52 thereof will give out high voltage current. Inpractice, the voltage of battery 12 is six volts, while the generator 52supplies a commercial voltage of say 110 volts. The battery current isnow no longer needed in the main circuit. I

The current given off by the generator 52 will close a switch 15 whichis under the influence of a high-voltage electromagnet 16, the circuitincluding the generator 52, conductor 53, conductor 54, magnet 16,conductor 55 and. conductor 44. 'The magnet 16 therefore attracts theswitch 15 and brings it against the contact 57. This will close thecircuit of the magnet 59, so as to reverse the switch 63, and thecircuit includes the battery 12, conductor 13, conductor 14, conductor62, switch 15, contact 57, conductor 58, magnet 59, conductor 60 andconductor 61. The battery current therefore energizes the magnet 59, toattract the switch 63 and remove it from the contact 40 and bring itagainst the opposite contact 41. This will disconnect the battery 12from the main circuit and connect the generator 52 in such main circuit.The main circuit, including the source of high voltage, now includes thegenerator 52, con ductor 53, conductor 42, contact 41, switch 63,conductor 8, lamp 10, switch 11, conductor 9, conductor 65, ahigh-voltage elec tromagnet 64 also arranged to attract the switch 15against the contact 57, conductor 43, magnet 7, and conductor 44. Themagnet 59 remains in the battery circuit, to hold the switch 63 againstthe contact 41, with the generator 52 in the main circuit and thebattery cut out of such circuit. The high voltage magnet 16 remains in ashunt of the main circuit, parallel with the lamp or device 10 andmagnets 7 and 64, and the magnet 64 which also controls the switch 15 islocated in the main circuit in series with the lamp or device 10 andmagnet 7. The high voltage magnets 16 and 64 which both control theswitch 15 are thus located in shunt and series, respectively, with themain circuit, in order to hold the switch 15 closed under varying loadsfrom the minimum to the maximum, without the liability of the switch 15opening accidentally by a change in load. This combination shunt andseries magnetic device controls the switch 15 in the battery circuitwith the magnet 59 for holding the generator in the main circuit duringworking conditions. The lamp or device 10 is thus energized, and themagnet 6 being disconnected from the main circuit, would release theswitch 5 were it not for the energization of the high voltage magnet 7,which retains the switch 5 in closed position to keep the ignitioncircuit closed. The apparatus is now in running condition with theengine driving the dynamo to supply high voltage current for theenergization of the lamp or translating device 10.

The switch 5 being maintained closed, will also maintain the magnet 28energized and the switch 29 closed, so that the motor 3 in being drivenby the engine, will recharge,

ing the storage battery 12 and thus assisting in the energization of theignition circuit.

When the switch 11 is opened for extinguishing the lamp or device 10,this will open the main circuit, so that the magnets 7 and (St aredeenergized, thereby releasing the switch 5, which will open theignition circuit, to stop the engine at once. The magnet 16 then becomesdead, releasing the switch 15, and this will open the circuit of themagnet 59, which will release the switch 63. The switch 63 will movefrom the contact 41 against the contact 40, thereby again connecting thebattery in the main circuit, and the switch 5 being opened will alsoopen the circuit of the magnetfZS, thereby releasing the switch 29. Theapparatus thus becomes idle and is restored to normal dormant condition,with the switchb in position to connect'the battery 12 in the maincircuit, so that the subsequent closing of the switch 11 will repeat theoperation as before. With the present apparatus, the current is suppliedby an engine-driven generator thereby eliminating the necessity forstorage batteries of large capacity, andthe starting and stopping of theengine is entirely automatic, controlled by the closing and opening ofthe switch 11 of the lamp or device 10, for which reason theelectromagnetic responsivedevices are used to automatically close andopen the several circuits as described. The high voltage current can behad at any time when the main current is closed without the necessity ofthe engine being started by hand, and the engine is only operated asthecurrent is needed, thereby providing for economy. The apparatus alsoprovides for the recharging oi the starting battery so that theapparatus requires practically no attentionwhatever, excepting fornecessary oiling, adjustments or repairs when required.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Anelectric power apparatus comprising load wires, an electrical generator,an engine for driving said generator, an electric starter for theengine, a low Voltage battery, an ignition circuit for the engineincluding a normally open switch, a low voltage and a high voltageelectromagnet controlling said switchto close the same when either 01"said magnets is energized, a second low voltage electromagnet arrangedto be energized from the battery when the firstnamed low voltage magnetis energized and said switch is closed, means controlled by the secondlow voltage electromagnet for connecting the starter in circuit with thebattery when the second low voltage electromagnet is energized, highvoltage electromagnetic means continually in circuit with the generator,and a switch controlled by the high voltage electromagnetic means toconnect the firstnamed low voltage electromagnet and battery in cir cuitwith the load wires when said high voltage electromagnetic means isdeenergized and to open said circuit and connect the firstnamed highvoltage electromagnet and generator with the load wires when said highvoltage electromagnetic means is energized.

An electric power apparatus embodying a main circuit, an internalcombustion engine, an electrical generator to be driven by the enginefor supplying said circuit, an electric motor for starting the engine, alow voltage battery for supplying the motor, an ignition circuit for theengine including a normally open switch, a second switch normallyconnecting the battery in the main circuit and movable to open the saidbattery circuit and connect the generator in the main circuit, a lowvoltage electromagnet in circuit with the second switch for closing thefirstnamed switch when the main circuit is closed, an electromagnet incircuit with the generator for holding the firstnamed switch closed bygenerator current, electromagnetic means in circuit with the generatorcontrolling the second switch to open thev connection between thebattery and the -main circuit and connect the generator in the maincircuit, and means for connecting the motor and battery by currentflowing through the firstnamedswitch at the time that the low voltageelectromagnet is energized and the firstnamed switch closed. 7 Y I i3.;An electric power apparatus embodying a main circuit, an internalcombustion engine, an electrical generator to be driven by the enginefor supplying said circuit, an electric motor-generator for starting theengine and for generating current, a low voltage. storage battery, a lowvoltage electromagnet, a switch controlled by said electromagnet, anignition circuit for the engine closed by said switch, electromagneticmeans for normally connecting said low voltage electromagnet and batteryin the main circuit and for disconnecting them from the main circuit andconnecting the generator to the main circuit when. the engine isstarted, means for retaining said switch in closed position when saidelectromagnetic means connects the generator to the main circuit, andmeans receiving cur rent through said switch when it is in closedposition for connecting the battery and motor-generator for starting theengine and then charging the battery.

4. An electric power apparatus embodying a main circuit, an internalcombustion engine, an electrical generator to be driven by the enginefor supplying said circuit, an electric motor-generator for starting theengine and generating charging current, a low voltage storage battery,an ignition circuit for the engine including a normally open switch, asecond switch normally connecting the battery in the main circuit andmovable to open the said battery circuit and connect the generator inthe main circuit, a low voltage electromagnet in circuit with the secondswitch for closing the firstnamed switch when the main circuit isclosed, an electromagnet in circuit with the generator for holding thefirstnamed switch closed by the generator current, electromagnetic meansin circuit with the generator con trolling the second switch to open theconnection between the battery and main circuit' and connect thegenerator in the main circuit, and means receiving current through thefirstnamed switch for connecting the battery and motor-generator tostart the engine and then charge the battery when the engine is started.

5. An electric power apparatus comprising load wires, an electricgenerator, an engine for driving said generator, an electric starter forthe engine, a battery, a low voltage electroinagnet, a high voltageelectromagnet, means under the influence of said electromagnets for theoperation of the starter and engine, a switch normally con-.

necting said lowvoltage electromagnct and battery in circuit with theload wires and for breaking such connection and then connecting thegenerator and high voltage electromagnet with the load wires, a lowvoltage electromagnet controlling said switch to move it from thefirstnamed to the secondnamed position when energized,

a switch for connecting the secondnamed low voltage electromagent withthe battery, and high voltage electromagnetic means in circuit with thegenerator for closing the secondnamed switch when energized, thelastnamed means being partly in shunt and partly in series, with theload wires.

6. An electric power apparatus comprising load wires, an electricgenerator, an engine for driving said generator, an electric starter forthe engine, a battery, a low voltage electromagnet, a high voltageelectromagne't, means under the influence of said electromagnets for theoperation of the starter and engine, a switch normally connecting saidlow voltage electromagnet and battery in circuit with the load wires andfor breaking such connection and then connecting the generator and highvoltage electromagnet with the load wires, a low voltage electromagnetcontrolling said switch to move it from the firstnamed to thesecondnamed position when energized, a switch for connecting thesecondnamed low voltage electromagnet with the battery, and a pair ofhigh voltage electromagnets for closing the secondnamed switch, one ofsaid magnets of the pair being in shunt with the load'wires and theother electromagnet of the pair being in series with the load wires andaforesaid high voltage electromagnet.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification,

ERWVIN H. KNAPP.

CLEMENT FINCH.

